These days, users are able to do more with the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects provides you with more ways to get connected. Simply enter your address in the box above to locate internet service providers and the cheapest plans in your area.
Trying to decide which internet plan is the best for you? Read on to find out more about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which West Virginia High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that helps you stay in touch with family and friends, work remotely from home, download media for entertainment on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) recognize that your internet needs are unique and now they offer more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was initially introduced in the mid-1990's, the only option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access in to the home by using a local phone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a great solution for most people since most already had a home telephone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your physical location. Another drawback was that in order to gain access to the internet the phone line used as the connection had to be free. As the internet evolved to incorporate more robust media and websites many found they needed a faster internet service.
Internet Service Providers looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver faster internet services. These methods are often called as "broadband". Over time as the services have improved, the measurement for what's considered broadband has evolved.
Nowadays, the FCC considers an internet service to be broadband if it's got data download or upload speeds exceeding 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high-speed internet can still vary based on a few factors like how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers employing your internet service provider as well as your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those thinking about high-speed internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic high speed internet services.
West Virginia Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable high speed internet services utilize a cable TV connection to supply customers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on the users end along with a cable modem termination system on the cable providers end. The length between the modem and termination system can be approximately 100 miles with virtually no difficulties occurring.
Cable high speed internet can operate at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the volume of data being transmitted. Furthermore, when working with cable internet services you share bandwidth with other consumers. The network monitor makes certain that bandwidth is distributed efficiently to ensure service doesn't slow during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are many service provider options for cable high speed internet. Time Warner and Comcast are major cable internet service providers throughout the majority of the U.S..
Check the availability of cable internet service in your neighborhood - enter your address within the box above.
West Virginia DSL High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet services transmit data using a copper telephone line. Unlike dial-up services, DSL works off of frequencies that aren't used for making telephone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and the other for broadband internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to customers. Typically this confines DSL distribution to a short distance of 2 miles from the central office, though some lines go up to 5 miles long. This factor also affects the actual download and upload speeds.
Fortunately virtually no infrastructure is involved and it is a genuine high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL also offers better dependability and security than various other options because it is being supplied by a phone line that often isn't shared.
Leading DSL internet service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from ISPs in your neighborhood by entering your address inside the box above.
West Virginia Satellite High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services use orbiting satellites to capture and pass on broadband data between a satellite company and its customers. Though the download and upload speeds qualify as broadband, because data must travel to the satellite and back over thousands of miles users can sometimes experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite broadband internet is capable of providing data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is ideal for those wanting high speed internet in rural locations where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both prominent providers of satellite internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your town by entering your address in the box above.
West Virginia Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the latest and fastest way to bring internet into the home. Networks of fiber optic cables can deliver internet up to 25 times faster than other high-speed options and are more dependable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is mainly because fiber optic wiring is more durable than other connections and isn't troubled by storms, static or noise.
For those looking for the fastest high speed high speed internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are known for their ability to transmit data at rates of up to 50 Mbps.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T provide fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic high speed internet services are only available through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic high speed internet services are available in your neighborhood - enter your address in the box above.
